Early voting begins today for runoff election

Update 5:23 p.m.: After polls closed, Carpenter said 188 voters came out to polls on the first day of early voting, which is more than the original election received on day one at 156 voters. The amount rivaled that of even the highest day of voter turnout for the regular election, which was 190 voters total.

Around Gainesville, residents are heading to the polls to cast their ballots early for the April 16 mayoral runoff election between former District 2 City Commissioner Ed Braddy and incumbent mayor Craig Lowe.

Runoff elections tend to see lower or equal turnout compared to the first election, Pam Carpenter, Alachua County supervisor of elections, said.

“We have had two elections that I can remember where we actually had a slight increase in the turnout for a runoff. You just never know,” she said. “That’s why we count the votes.”

Bill Boe, an early voter and campaign worker for Ed Braddy, said he decided to vote early because he didn’t want an unexpected event to keep him from the polls on election day.

“There’s always that chance your car is going to break down,” he said.

Boe said he is not expecting a close election. Someone will win by at least 10 to 15 percent, he predicted.

Early voting polls will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 8 to April 12, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 13 and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 14 at the Supervisor of Election’s office in the County Administration Building located at 12 SE First St.

Regular voting will be on April 16 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, and for help finding a designated polling place, visit the Supervisor of Elections’ website.

Carpenter also reminds residents that in order to vote, residents must present a valid photo identification with a signature.

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